The captivating world of Star Wars has a rich history explored through various novels. The first Star Wars media to be released was the official novelization From The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, which hit shelves in November 1976, a full year before the film’s debut.
Following its success, the spinoff novel Splinters of the Mind’s Eye, penned by Alan Dean Foster, delved into the exciting escapades of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia as they battled against the notorious Darth Vader.
1. How to read the Star Wars Books in Order?
The recommended reading order for the Star Wars Books is the chronological order. The chronological order offers a comprehensive journey through the Star Wars Universe, allowing readers to witness events in the sequence they occurred.
This allows a deeper understanding of the characters, plotlines, and themes. Readers can discover subtle connections through this approach and gain a more comprehensive narrative experience.
We can sort the Star Wars Books into the following chronological periods:
- Early Beginnings to The Old Republic Era (Legends)
- High Republic Era (Canon)
- The Rise of the Sith and The Clone Wars
- The Reign of the Empire
- Rebellion Era and The New Republic
1Early Beginnings to The Old Republic Era (Legends)
- ‘Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void’ By Tim Lebbon
- ‘The Old Republic: Revan’ By Drew Karpyshyn
- ‘The Old Republic: Deceived’ By Paul S. Kemp
- ‘Red Harvest ‘By Joe Schreiber
- ‘The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance’ By Sean Williams
- ‘The Old Republic: Annihilation’ By Drew Karpyshyn
- ‘Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected’ Stories By John Jackson Miller
- ‘Knight Errant’ By John Jackson Miller
- ‘Darth Bane: Path of Destruction’ By Drew Karpyshyn
- ‘Darth Bane: Rule of Two’ By Drew Karpyshyn
- ‘Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil’ By Drew Karpyshy
2High Republic Era (Canon)
- The High Republic: Convergence’ By Zoraida Córdova
- ‘Quest for the Hidden City’ by George Mann
- ‘Path of Deceit’ by Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland
- ‘The Battle of Jedha’ by George Mann
- ‘Path of Vengeance’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Cataclysm’ by Lydia Kang
- ‘Quest for Planet X’ By Tessa Gratton
- ‘Jedi Brave in Every Way’ by Charles Soule, Rosemary Soule
- ‘Into the Dark’ by Claudia Gray
- ‘Light of the Jedi‘ by Charles Soule
- ‘The Great Jedi Rescue’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘A Test of Courage’ by Justina Ireland
- ‘The Rising Storm’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Race to Crashpoint Tower‘ by Daniel Jose Older
- ‘Out of the Shadows’ by Justina Ireland
- ‘Tempest Runner’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Mission to Disaster’ by Justina Ireland
- ‘Midnight Horizon’ by Daniel Jose Older
- ‘The Fallen Star’ by Claudia Gray
- ‘The Eye of Darkness’ by George Mann
3The Rise of the Sith and The Clone Wars (The Republic Era)
- Padawan’ by Kiersten White
- Master & Apprentice’ By Claudia Gray
- ‘Size Matters Not’ by John Jackson Miller
- ‘Darth Maul and the Rathtars’ by Steve Behling
- ‘Queen’s Peril’ by E.K. Johnston
- ‘The Phantom Menace’ by Courtney Carbone
- ‘The Prequel Trilogy Stories’ by Elizabeth Schaefer
- ‘The Skywalker Saga’ by Delilah S. Dawson
- ‘Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures’ by Meredith Rusu
- ‘A Jedi’s Control’ by E.K. Johnston
- ‘Queen’s Shadow’ by E.K. Johnston
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: An Obi-Wan & Anakin Adventure’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade’ by Delilah S. Dawson
- ‘Attack of the Clones’ by Geoff Smith
- ‘Queen’s Hope’ E.K. Johnston
- ‘Brotherhood’ By Mike Chen
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Clone Trooper Mission’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel’ by James Luceno
- ‘Forces of Destiny: Daring Adventures: Volume 1’ by Emma Carlson Berne
- ‘Forces of Destiny: Daring Adventures: Volume 2’ by Emma Carlson Berne
- ‘Thrawn Ascendacy: Chaos Rising’ by Timothy Zahn
- ‘Dark Disciple’ by Christine Golden
- ‘Revenge of the Sith’ by Geof Smith
- ‘Darth Vader and the Weapon of a Sith’ by Ivan Cohen
- ‘Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good’ by Timothy Zahn
- ‘Thrawn Ascendacy: Lesser Evil’ Timothy Zahn
4The Reign of the Empire (The Imperial Era)
- Ahsoka’ by E.K. Johnston
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Smuggler Mission’ by Cavan Scott
- Choose Your Destiny: An Escape Mission’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Thrawn’ by Timothy Zahn
- ‘Lords of the Sith’ by Paul S. Kemp
- ‘Tarkin’ by James Luceno
- ‘Most Wanted’ by Rae Carson
- ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition’ by Mur Lafferty
- ‘Rebel Rising’ By Beth Revis
- ‘Crimson Climb’ by E.K. Johnston
- ‘A New Dawn’ by John Jackson Miller
- ‘Jedi: Battle Scars’ by Sam Maggs
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Podracer Mission’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Lost Stars’ by Claudia Gray
- ‘Servants of the Empire: Edge of the Galaxy’ by Jason Fry
- ‘Rise of the Rebels’ by Michael Kogge
- ‘Ezra’s Gamble’ by Ryder Windham
- ‘The Rebellion Begins’ Michael Kogge
- ‘Droids in Distress’ by Michael Kogge
- ‘The Secret Jedi: The Adventures of Kanan Jarrus: Rebel Leader’ by Benjamin Harper
- ‘TIE Fighter Trouble’ by Brooke Vitale
- ‘The Inquisitor’s Trap’ by Meredith Rusu
- ‘Servants of the Empire: Rebel in the Ranks’ by Jason Fry
- ‘Hera’s Phantom Flight’ by Elizabeth Schaefer
- ‘Ezra’s Duel With Danger’ By Michael Kogge
- ‘Kanan’s Jedi Training’ by Elizabeth Schaefer
- ‘Always Bet on Chopper’ by Meredith Rusu
- ‘Servants of the Empire: The Imperial Justice’ by Jason Fry
- ‘Servants of the Empire: The Secret Academy’ by Jason Fry
- ‘Battle to the End’ Michael Kogge
- ‘Trapped’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘A New Ally’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘Ezra’s Choice’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘The Future of the Force’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘Leia, Princess of Alderaan’ by Claudia Gray
- ‘Ezra’s Quest’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘Back to Basics’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘Forces of Destiny: The Leia Chronicles’ by N/A
- ‘Thrawn: Alliances’ by Timothy Zahn
- ‘Thrawn: Treason’ by Timothy Zahn
- ‘The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear!’ by Tom Angleberger
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Han & Chewie Adventure’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Guardian of the Whills’ by Greg Rucka
- ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ By Alexander Freed
- ‘Bounty Hunt’ by Katrina Pallant
- ‘Escape From Darth Vader’ by Michael Siglain
- ‘Trouble on Tatooine’ by NA
- ‘Trapped in the Death Star’ by NA
- ‘Death Star Battle’ by NA
- ‘A New Hope’ by Geoff Smith
- ‘The Rise of a Hero’ by Louise Simonson
- ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ by Ryder Windham
- ‘The Original Trilogy Stories’ by Glass, King, Rusu, Schaefer, Schmidt, Siglain
- ‘The Power of the Dark Side’ by Benjamin Harper
- ‘The Chewbacca Story’ by Benjamin Harper
- ‘A Leader Named Leia’ by NA
- ‘Battlefront II: Inferno Squad’ by Christie Golden
- ‘Lea Charts Her Course’ by Liz Marsham
- ‘Smuggler’s Run: A Han Solo & Chewbacca Adventure’ by Greg Rucka
- ‘Han and the Rebel Rescue’ by NA
- ‘Chewie and the Courageous Kid’ by NA
- ‘Heir to the Jedi’ by Kevin Hearne
- ‘The Weapon of a Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure’ by Jason Fry
- ‘Luke and the Lost Jedi Temple’ Jason Fry
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Luke & Leia Adventure’ by Jason Fry
- ‘Doctor Aphra’ by Sarah Kuhn
- ‘R2-D2 and the Renegade Rescue’ by Meredith Rusu
- ‘Battlefront: Twilight Company’ by Alexander Freed
- ‘AT-AT Attack!’ by Calliope Glass
- ‘Use the Force! by Michael Siglain
- ‘Captured on Cloud City’ by Nate Millican
- ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ by Geoff Smith
- ‘Leia and the Great Island Escape’ by Jason Fry
- ‘Rescue from Jabba’s Palace’ Michael Siglain
- ‘Return of the Jedi: The Battle of Endor’ by Ella Patric
- ‘Ewoks Join the Fight’ by Michael Siglain
- ‘Return of the Jedi’ by Geof Smith
- ‘Return of the Jedi: Beware of the Power of the Dark Side! by Tom Angleberger
- ‘The Princess and the Scoundrel’ by Beth Revis
- ‘Alphabet Squadron’ by Alexander Freed
- ‘Aftermath’ by Chuck Wendig
- ‘Shadow Fall’ By Alexander Freed
- ‘Aftermath: Life Debt’ by Chuck Wendig
- ‘Victory’s Price’ by Alexander Freed
- ‘Aftermath: Empire’s End’ by Chuck Wendig
- ‘Hunters: Battle for the Arena’ by Mark Oshiro
5Rebellion Era and The New Republic (Includes the Sequel Trilogy)
- Last Shot’ by Daniel Jose Older
- ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian Junior Novel’ by Joe Schreiber
- ‘The Mandalorian: This is the Way’ by Christopher Nichols
- ‘The Mandalorian: A Clan of Two’ by Brooke Vitale
- ‘The Mandalorian: Allies & Enemies’ by Brooke Vitale
- ‘Poe Dameron: Free Fall’ by Alex Segura
- ‘Shadow of the Sith’ by Adam Christopher
- ‘Bloodline’ by Claudia Gray
- ‘The Legends of Luke Skywalker’ by Ken Liu
- ‘Before the Awakening’ by Greg Rucka
- ‘C-350’s New Arm’ by Rebecca L. Schmidt
- ‘Force Collector’ by Kevin Shinick
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Scavenger Mission’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Maz’s Castle Mission’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘The New Spy’ By Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘The Triple Dark’ By Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘Yaeger’s Secret’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘The Survivor’ by Vanessa Rubio-Barreau
- ‘Join the Resistance’ by Ben Acker, Ben Blacker
- ‘Join the Resistance: Escape from Vodran’ Ben Acker, Ben Blacker
- ‘Phasma’ by Delilah S. Dawson
- ‘Finn & The First Order’ by Elizabeth Schaefer
- ‘Finn and Poe Team Up!’ by Nate Millici
- ‘Rey Meets BB-8’ by Elizabeth Schaefer
- ‘Finn & Rey Escape!’ by Michael Siglain
- ‘Han & Chewie Return’ by Michael Siglain
- ‘Chaos at the Castle’ by Nate Millici
- ‘The Fight in the Forest’ by NA
- ‘Lightsaber Rescue’ by NA
- ‘Rolling with BB-8’ Benjamin Harper
- ‘Rey to the Rescue’ by Lisa Stock
- ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ by Alan Dean Foster
- ‘The Force Awakens: Rey’s Story’ by Elizabeth Schaefer
- ‘The Force Awakens: Finn’s Story’ by Elizabeth Schaefer
- ‘BB-8 on the Run’ by Drew Daywalt
- ‘Join the Resistance: Attack on the Starkiller Base’ by Ben Acker, Ben Blacker
- ‘Forces of Destiny: The Rey Chronicles’ by NA
- ‘The Last Jedi: Cobalt Squadron’ by Elizabeth Wein
- ‘Rose and Paige Fight for the Resistance’ by Calliope Glass
- ‘Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire’ by Delilah S. Dawson
- ‘Captain Phasma’s Escape from Starkiller Base’ by Ivan Cohen
- ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition’ by Jason Fry
- ‘The Last Jedi: Rey’s Journey’ by Ella Patrick
- ‘The Last Jedi: Rose and Finn’s Secret Mission’ by Ella Patrick
- Chewie and the Porgs’ by Kevin Shinick
- ‘Resistance Reborn’ by Rebecca Roanhorse
- ‘C-350 Does NOT Like Sand! By Caitlin Kennedy
- ‘R2-D2 is LOST!’ by Caitlin Kennedy
- ‘Choose Your Destiny: A Finn & Poe Adventure’ by Cavan Scott
- ‘Spark of the Resistance’ by Justina Ireland
- ‘Pirate’s Price’ by Lou Anders
- ‘A Crash of Fate’ by Zoraida Cordova
- ‘Elee & Me’ by Amy Ratcliffe
- ‘Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker: Expanded Edition’ by Rae Carson
Note: The only Legends eras I have included are the ones before the High Republic because they can still become canon. Meanwhile, the Legends storyline books that happened in between the movies are not included in this list because they are no longer canon.
2. Alternative Reading Order: More Character Focused
Leia Organa– To learn about Leia’s teen years and her tumultuous training to sit on Alderaan’s throne, check out Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Grey (canon).
Han Solo– This classic choice for Han fans sees him joining fellow Falcon crew member Lando on the run from an assassin who’s threatened not only the two but all of Cloud City. Please read it in Last Shot: A Han and Lando Novel by Daniel José Older (canon).
Darth Vader– Darth Vader tries to prove his allegiance to the Sith Order in this canon installment. Read more in Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp (canon).
Obi-Wan Kenobi– Set well before the original movie trilogy, this aptly titled book takes a very early look at the relationship between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi; look up Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray (canon).
Luke Skywalker– While this book isn’t necessarily about Luke, he still gets central “screen time” as he joins forces (pun intended) with Mara Jade and uses the Force to locate a mysterious pirate ship with a crew of clones. Read on about their adventures in Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn (Expanded Universe).
3. About Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon.
It has three trilogies at its core – Original, Prequel, and Sequel, spread across five decades and interspersed with at least a dozen spin-off series and films.
Created by George Lucas and his Lucasfilm, the franchise is currently under the Disney umbrella. All the Star Wars films and shows are now available to binge on Disney+ streaming service.
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